A bipartisan group of senators are introducing a bill early next week to improve and streamline information about cyber threats between state and federal entities, in the wake of Russia’s believed interference during the 2016 election, according to a top aide to one of the senators involved. The bill, spearheaded by Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, and also sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California, is intended to better the communication between the Department of Homeland Security, the intelligence community and state election offices, in efforts to thwart future interference in U.S. elections by foreign actors. The bill, which will include resources for states, is also intended to help states identify and prepare against cyber attacks.
Members of both Republican and Democratic leadership have so far responded positively to the legislative proposal, according to the aide, who said the senators involved are eager to pass the legislation ahead of the midterm primaries next year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued to deny interference in the 2016 election, and President Trump has said he believes Putin thinks the Kremlin did not interfere. Despite Mr. Trump’s demurring on the issue, multiple intelligence agencies concluded in a January report that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, Trump-appointed CIA Director Mike Pompeo has said Russia “clearly” interfered in the election.
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